Groupon Guide

On this week’s agenda: Tony-winning musical Evita leaves the stage, families take in fall foliage, Taste of DC descends on Pennsylvania Avenue, the CW’s favorite magicians perform illusions, and the Wizards begin their season. Enjoy yourselves, and as always, check Groupon for even more great things to do in DC.
Evita at the Kennedy Center Opera House
Foggy Bottom | Through October 19
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony-winning musical about Argentina's beloved Eva Peron closes this week after a critically acclaimed stop on its national tour. Washingtonian theater critic Jane Horwitz applauds Caroline Bowman's turn as Ms. Peron, saying the star ''plays the difficult, vocally challenging role with skill and precision.'' (2700 F St. NW; $39; buy tickets here)
Family Hike at Little Bennett Regional Park
Clarksburg, MD | Saturday, October 11
Families meet at Wilson Mill parking lot on Clarksburg Road before taking a guided tour of the park to learn about local wildlife and native trees dressed in fall colors. During the morning tour, guides will add their own insights regarding the ways area wildlife changes and adapts during the arrival of autumn. (23701 Frederick Rd., Clarksburg, MD; $10, free for kids; buy tickets here)
Taste of DC on Pennsylvania Avenue
National Mall | Saturday, October 11, and Sunday, October 12
More than 40 restaurants will turn Pennsylvania Avenue into an open-air festival, setting up stalls to dispense lobster rolls, crepes, cuban sandwiches, and more. Between bites, guests can sip one of 50+ samples at the Stella Artois Beer Garden or the Wine Walk, or take in tunes from house musician Joe Maye and acoustic rockers the Dan McGuire Band. (Pennsylvania Ave., 9th–14th Sts. NW; $10; buy tickets here)
Masters of Illusion at Warner Theatre
Penn Quarter | Thursday, October 16
Based on the CW show, Masters of Illusion doubles up on the magic by taking time-tested tricks and making them more mind-bendingly crazy. For example, the magicians saw a woman in half, but this time, she's in a transparent box. During another trick, the performers make their participants float, and then levitate right alongside them. Expect more twists on the classic escape trick, and lots and lots of fire. (13th and E St. NW; $27.50; buy tickets here)
Washington Wizards Preseason Game at the Verizon Center
Chinatown | Friday, October 17
Building on last year's momentum—the Wizards blew past the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the playoffs—the same core team returns to the Verizon Center this season. The team includes familiar superstars John Wall, Bradley Beal, Marcin Gortat, Marcin Gortat's mohawk, and Drew Gooden, as well as new addition (and championship veteran) Paul Pierce. (601 F St. NW; $16; buy tickets here)
Photos courtesy of Evita on Broadway and Masters of Illusion

On this week’s agenda: a beer festival with the band !!!, flamenco music in the Sculpture Garden, a kid-size signing of the Constitution, the return of Lil Boosie, and a seriously transformative circus. Enjoy yourselves, and as always, check Groupon for even more great things to do in DC.
Third Annual Snallygaster Beer Festival at The Yards
The Yards | Saturday, September 13
This year's fest features more than 250 craft brews from around the globe, including autumn seasonals, cask ales, assorted barrel-aged beers, and craft cans. The beers will pair nicely with gourmet treats from local purveyors such as Red Hook Lobster Pound, Lemongrass Truck, Red Apron Butchery, and Takorean. Live music from dance-punk outfit !!! and local electro-pop artist Brett completes the festival trifecta. (1st St. SE and N St. SE; $35; buy tickets here)
Ricardo Marlow and Ensemble at the National Gallery of Art
National Mall | Sunday, September 14
Amid the leaves and statues of the Sculpture Garden, classical guitarist Ricardo Marlow will honor Hispanic Heritage Month with a performance of his signature flamenco melodies. Marlow's striking, percussive style is ideal for dancing, and will be amplified even further by the seductive strings of his accompanying ensemble. (700 Constitution Ave. NW; free)
Constitution Day Family Activities at Boeing Learning Center
Federal Triangle | Wednesday, September 17
Parents and kids can channel the penmanship of the Founding Fathers by reenacting the signing of the Constitution a mere 227 years later. The National Archives and Records Administration will provide quill pens for children to apply their own John Hancocks (or, in this case, George Washingtons) on replicas of the great document. Crafts and costumes will also be on hand to add to the colonial festivities. (700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; free)
Lil' Boosie at Echostage
Langdon Park | Friday, September 19, at 9 p.m.
Fresh from his release from Louisiana State Penitentiary, the rapper who perked ears with hits like "Give Me That" and "Better Believe It" is back with a new single ("Show Da World") and a new outlook on life. On this tour, expect him to get back to business, turning new phrases in preparation for his forthcoming album. (2135 Queens Chapel Rd. NE; $65; buy tickets here)
Big Apple Circus's Metamorphosis at Dulles Town Center
Sterling | Thursday, September 18, and Friday, September 19
New York's legendary circus troupe returns to bewitch crowds through trapeze artistry, torch juggling, contortion, and gymnastic feats performed on horses. The show is called Metamorphosis, and the acrobats take this theme seriously; many death-defying tricks and stunts focus on transformation, such as turning balls into flames. (21100 Dulles Town Circle, Suite 194, Sterling, Virginia; $35; buy tickets here)
Photos courtesy of Big Apple Circus, Snallygaster, and the National Gallery of Art.

Escape the sun’s merciless strength with a Coen brothers double feature or New Belgium Brewing Company’s most beloved sour ale. Get a cardiovascular workout with Nellie McKay’s politically amped cabaret show, take in a classic '90s alt-rock album in its entirety, or show some Peruvian pride at the National Museum of the American Indian. And as always, check Groupon for even more great things to do in DC.
Coen Brothers: Double Take at the Washington Jewish Community Center
Logan Circle | Through Sunday, July 27
Nobody wants to stop at just one Coen brothers film, so the Jewish Community Center's summer series satisfies fans with a different double feature every other week. This week juxtaposes two comedies: modern classic The Big Lebowski and underrated dramedy A Serious Man. Catch both features in one sitting, or come back for a second viewing. (1529 16th St. NW; $12; buy tickets here)
New Belgium Brewing Company Sweet & Sour Evening Finale at Jackpot
Chinatown | Wednesday, July 30, 7p.m. to 9 p.m.
New Belgium Brewing Company concludes its Sweet & Sour series with a guided tasting of tart brews and artisan chocolates. This being the grand finale, the night's champion will be award-winning wood-aged sour brown ale La Folie, though plenty of other rare sours will make appearances. The tastings are free, but you can purchase $4 drafts of Snapshot Wheat as well. (726 7th St. NW; free)
Nellie McKay in A Girl Named Bill: The Life and Times of Billy Tipton
Vienna | Thursday, July 31, 7:30 p.m.
Described by the New Yorker as ''funny and touching, ceaselessly clever and scarily talented,” performer Nellie McKay returns after completing her award-winning off-Broadway production of Old Hats. Backed by her band, the politically charged singer will continue subverting cabaret fare with selections from her critically acclaimed new album, Home Sweet Mobile Home. (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna, VA; $20; buy tickets here)
Kaypi Perú Festival at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian
National Mall | Through Sunday, August 3
Kaypi Perú means this is Peru in the Quechua language, and the Kaypi Perú festival means to make an honest phrase of it during the six-day festival. Live music will soundrack traditional dance as films, lectures, and hands-on activities keep families entertained. You can also sample traditional food and drinks or buy wares from indigenous Peruvian artisans. (4th St. & Independence Ave. SW; free)
Live's Ed Kowalczyk Performs Throwing Copper at the State Theatre
Falls Church City | Friday, August 1, 8 p.m.
Twenty years ago, rock band Live reached worldwide fame with their platinum album Throwing Copper. The album's hits—including ''Lightning Crashes,'' ''I Alone,'' and ''Selling the Drama''—continue to register with listeners thanks in large part to lead singer Ed Kowalczyk's thundering voice and MTV-ready charisma. To celebrate the album's 20th anniversary, he will perform Throwing Copper in its entirety. (20 N. Washington St., Falls Church, VA; $30; buy tickets here)
Photo courtesy of Ed Kowalczyk's Facebook page.